Commerce ministry to monitor retail prices at bus, rail stations

The Commerce Ministry's Internal Trade Department has dispatched inspection teams to Bangkok's transport terminals and tourist spots in a bid to prevent any unfair price hikes during the year's busiest season.

This decision came when it was discovered that many shops at bus stations were taking advantage of the large exodus of Bangkokians by charging extra for their goods. Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai said many of the shops had increased their prices by 10 to 20 per cent.

"The ministry, which is responsible for price control and consumer protection, will be sending inspection teams to all bus and train stations to closely monitor retailers and protect consumers from unscrupulous merchants," she said.

Traders found guilty of overcharging will face seven years in jail and/or a maximum fine of Bt140,000.

According to the ministry, many shops and convenience stores at the Mor Chit Bus Station had already increased their prices for things like bottled water, snacks, cooked food and medication.

Now a plate of food costs more than Bt30 per plate, a jump from the Bt25 charged at other times of the year.

A convenience store at the Southern Bus Terminal was seen selling a 500cc bottle of drinking water at Bt10, while branches of that very store in other places were selling the same bottles at only Bt7 or Bt8.

Painkillers were quoted at Bt30 per pack of 10 pills, while normally they are sold at Bt10.

The excuse retailers are giving for this hike in prices is an increase in their rents.

Apart from this, the Internal Trade Department has received complaints that some taxis and motorcycles are overcharging, refusing to take on passengers or refusing to use the metre citing traffic jams.

Director-general Yangyong Phuangrach said the department would enforce stringent controls during the festive season to ensure that consumers are treated fairly.

The department will meet with the owners of plots where transport terminals are located to discuss fair rents, so that shops do not take advantage of consumers.

The Commerce Ministry's permanent secretary Siripol Yodmuangcharoen said the ministry would also send teams to popular tourist destinations across the country to ensure that travellers, both Thai and foreign, are treated fairly.